Texans Owner Weighs In on C.J Stroud, Will Anderson Extensions

This offseason, the Houston Texans are officially eligible to sign both of their 2023 first-round picks, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. to new extensions following their rookie deals, which are set to expire after the 2027 season, so long as the team accepts each of their fifth-year options.

So far, there hasn't been a ton of reported traction on getting a new deal hashed out for either. Anderson appears slated to get a record-extension for what could make him the highest-paid edge rusher ever, but there hasn't been word on either side being close to a deal.

As for Stroud, he might be trending towards signing his extension in 2027 as opposed to this offseason, although anything can happen over the course of a long offseason.

However, it seems like when it comes to Texans' ownership's feelings on an extension for both Stroud and Anderson, they'll be eager to get that done whenever the right time presents itself.

“We’ll let DeMeco and Nick make the football decisions there, but they’re exciting, really good young players,” Texans principal owner Cal McNair said of Stroud and Anderson, via KPRC2's Aaron Wilson. “We’ll hope to have them around for a long, long time.”

Texans chief community officer Hannah McNair also feels like as long as the team continues to draft and develop well, conversations like this are bound to happen every year.

“It’s a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under contract,” Hannah McNair said. “So, if we keep drafting the way we do, this is just going to be something we talk about every year."

PHOENIX -- #Texans Cal McNair and Hannah McNair on potential long-term deals for Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud: 'Exciting, really good players, we'll hope to have them around a long, long time. .. It's a good problem to have when you have so many guys you want to keep under… pic.twitter.com/WunQinzX0g
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 1, 2026

The Texans haven't been shy when it comes to inking their core pieces to new extensions not only throughout this offseason, but in past years as well when factoring in their record extension for cornerback Derek Stingley just over one year ago.

In only the past few weeks, the Texans were able to piece together new extensions for core pieces in all three phases— a new one-year, $12 million deal for tight end Dalton Schultz, a one-year, $40 million deal for Danielle Hunter, and a two-year deal for Ka'imi Fairbairn to make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

But the contract situations regarding Stroud and Anderson are far more pivotal than anyone else on the roster. And in due time, will be tackled by Caserio and Co. to in all likelihood, cement them as core pieces of the Texans' future. It just might take a bit of patience.

What's the Timeline for Texans' Stroud, Anderson Extensions?

Anderson, after a career-best season in Houston, will almost certainly get his deal in the coming months at an annual value that tops even the highest-paid names at his position.

Currently, Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons tops the list with the highest annual salary as an edge rusher at $46.5 million, coming out to a total of $186 million across four years.

Seeing similar numbers for the Texans' star defender might not be too unrealistic, and would be well-deserved after stamping a First-Team All-Pro selection in the books in 2025. Houston might also be eager to get a deal done before next season, and likely before training camp, in case his value climbs even higher than it is now.

Sep 21, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) celebrates after a sack during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Stroud's situation is a little trickier. The Texans have remained vocally committed to the 2023 second-overall pick as their signal-caller of the future. But his contractual value isn't quite as defined as Anderson's following a bumpy third season and an ugly end to the year.

If the Texans wanted to be proactive, maybe they could approach those contract discussions this offseason as opposed to next to capitalize on that lower value. However, it's unlikely that Stroud's representation would want to lock in that deal now when a bounceback fourth season would provide an exponential increase in what his numbers could be.

The Texans may also want to see another full season's sample size out of Stroud after the results of 2025 to see whether he has made the necessary strides to warrant a big-money extension. Once he does showcase that growth, then they can confidently dish that money his way next offseason.

The business of the NFL can be complicated at times. But with just a little bit of patience, expect the Texans to soon have both Stroud and Anderson locked up on new contracts with some nice pay raises to secure their status as key cornerstones of the future in Houston.

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